Athenry witnesses record prices

Marts: Beef prices soared to record heights when almost 800 over /kg was paid for single punched bullocks at Athenry Mart yesterday, where there was a big entry for the annual show day at the western sales venue.

Forward double punched bullocks topped €530 over, while single punched sold for up to €775 over and the tops of the heifers made a huge €810 over in a buying frenzy which left many speechless.

Manager Martin McNamara described the prices as “spectacular” for both double punched and single punched bullocks, with the fancy prices not confined to the few top show winners of the day.

In the double punched bullocks section €1,480 was paid for a 945kg Belgian Blue, while a red Limousin weighing 850kg sold for €1,280 and a 775kg Charolais made €1,140.

A charolais weighing 660kg sold for €1,075 and a Belgian Blue scaling 565kg made €1,060. The more general run of double punched animals sold from €160 over to €240 over.

In the single punched section the highest price of €1,610 was paid for a 835kg Belgian Blue, while a 690kg red Limousin went for €1,100, a 650kg Charolais sold for €1,115 and a 635kg Simmental made €1,050.

The general run of prices for the single punched ranged from €350 over to €500 over.

Some very strong prices were also paid for heifers, but none better than €1,370 for a 560kg Belgian Blue taking the lead over a 370kg Belgian Blue sold for €1,120.

A 460kg Limousin made €785 and a 540kg Charolais sold for €840.

Prices were maintained at Fermoy where medium weight stores with premia made up to €305 over and heifers made up to €130 over.

At Ennis plainer lots of young bullocks were €20-25 back.